We’re here at the biggest Disney fan event of the year, Destination D23. This weekend, we will learn a lot about the future projects of Disney and what guests can expect in the future.
We already had some BIG announcements this morning from the first panel of the weekend. We know when the Hat Box ghost will be coming to Disney World, the official opening date of Journey of Water, and that the end of EPCOT’s transformation will finish in December. There is a lot more that was announced, so be sure to check out our live updates for more. But, there was noticeably one topic that was not touched on during this panel.
Disney announced in May 2023 that, after just over a year of being in operation, the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser will be permanently closing. The final “voyage” is September 28th through the 30th. The Star Wars: Galactic Starcrusier Hotel opened in March 2022. This hotel is really more of an immersive experience, which lasts two days and two nights.
There has been no update on what could happen to this space once it closes as the Starcruiser. There was also no update given at Destination D23 yet. This is likely because the D23 panel was a presentation of all the exciting new things coming to the Disney parks. Let’s be honest — it probably wouldn’t help the mood to discuss one of Disney’s “failures.” Plus, Disney could still be deciding what to do with the space.
So why is the Starcruiser closing anyway? This hotel is NOT cheap — prices are more comparable to a cruise vacation than a hotel room, with stays costing thousands for just a 2-night experience. Many people just couldn’t justify the cost, and we saw lots of availability at the hotel even just a few months after it opened, which shows that there was not as high of a demand as maybe Disney anticipated.
So, if you’ve got a reservation for the last few voyages, be sure to take it all in. If you want to experience it all virtually, we’ve got a whole video about our experience you can check out instead! And if you want a souvenir to commemorate this soon-to-be-closed Disney World experience, check out our exclusive “Farewell Voyage” shirt!
And as always, be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news.
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What announcement are you most excited about from Destination D23? Let us know below.
Canescrazze says
Bottom line here is that Disney got greedy. They priced this for only the RICH. Most families can’t afford this. Such as waste of money all around. Disney has changed so much in the past Five years. It is disappointing.
Lois Pierce says
I still say they should make the Galactic Starcruiser a day experience like some of the daylong tours. During the day people could do all the things they currently do on the Starcruiser(Bridge training, lightsaber training, going on missions and a participatory show, plus a lunch and show in the dining room). In the evening the dining room could be turned into a premium dining venue with a show like Hoop-de-doo Revue. The hotel part could be closed off and a quick service dining area and gift shop could be added and it could be a small mid-grade hotel. I think people would be willing to pay $600-800 for that kind of day long experience (maybe more?) and the restaurant and hotel would generate additional revenue. It seems stupid to tear it down or spend millions to change it when there are many who wanted to participate, but just found it too expensive.
GL Josh says
I have watched quite a few videos about peoples visit the GSC. Most of them have been VERY positive. I knew quite a few people that were very excited, until the price was revealed and Disney released that promotional commercial. Personally I would love to see some of the “rooms” the GSC had become extensions of Galaxy Edge to produce some “fill-in attractions”. The Lightsaber and Bridge training areas could be pretty cool additions, maybe bring some of the food offerings to Docking Bay 7.
Joleighva says
Why not turn it into a hotel? People would LOVE to stay there if it weren’t THOUSANDS of dollars for 48 hours! Get rid of all the extra stuff and turn it into the hotel it should have been in the first place.